Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks)
An interdisciplinary graduate programme in Germany joining universities and research institutes, with natural-science tracks in Matter to Life and Photonics leading from a master's phase into doctoral research.
| Amount / funding | Full funding for up to five years; no tuition fees; scholarship in the initial phase and a TVöD/TV-L E13 employment contract in the second phase (cash figure for the first phase not stated on the official application page checked) |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 1 December 2026 |
| Start date | ESTIMATE: ESTIMATE: Autumn 2027 (ESTIMATE — based on previous Max Planck Schools cycles, where a December application leads to a fall start the following year; official page states 'fall of a given year' without a 2027 calendar date) |
| Level | masters, PhD |
| Funding type | tuition-only |
| Field | 05 Natural Sciences |
About this scholarship
An interdisciplinary graduate programme in Germany joining universities and research institutes, with natural-science tracks in Matter to Life and Photonics leading from a master's phase into doctoral research.
Minimum requirements
Bachelor's or master's graduates; Matter to Life is for natural-science or engineering bachelor's graduates, Photonics for physics/engineering or related graduates; highly ambitious candidates worldwide; application via the Max Planck Schools portal
Application checklist
- Confirm you meet the stated eligibility for Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks): Bachelor's or master's graduates.
- Apply through the official application route for Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks) (maxplanckschools.org); follow the portal steps on that page rather than an aggregator page.
- Prepare your academic transcripts, CV and research proposal or statement for Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks); check the official page for the exact document list for this programme.
- Ask referees early for Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks) and check the official page whether references are required for this programme.
- Check the official page whether any language evidence or test score is required for Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks).
- Submit by the deadline on the record for Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks): 1 December 2026.
- Budget Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks) on the funding stated on the record: Full funding for up to five years. Check the official page for what is and is not covered.
Application tips
- For Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks) (Germany; masters, PhD): work back from the 1 December 2026 deadline and submit early enough for references and documents to arrive, noting any time zone stated on the record.
- Check the eligibility edge for Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks) first: Bachelor's or master's graduates; If any clause does not clearly cover you, ask the sponsor before spending time on the full application.
- Budget Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks) on Full funding for up to five years; check the official page for what is excluded (fees, travel, living costs). Funding type on the record: tuition-only. Do not assume full coverage unless the record states it.
- For Max Planck Schools Graduate Programme 2027 (Matter to Life and Photonics tracks) (05 Natural Sciences), make your research proposal specific to the host department's work and to the programme's stated focus, and show how your background fits that focus rather than writing a generic proposal.
Always verify deadline, amount and eligibility on the official page before applying. Values marked ESTIMATE are based on a previous cycle and are not confirmed for the current round.
Tags: PhD, masters, natural sciences, physics, biology, Germany